Warm up for Match (you get hit winners)

I think you know what I am getting at. I am looking for suggestions to the warm-up when you have a match and you can't get much from the warm-up because your opponent decides to go winner ball on you when you are just trying to get a warm-up in before you match.

Playing here in the North (Albany, NY). Can't get a warm up outside before your match so you are stuck with warming up with your oppoent. Quite oblivious you aren't going to get a good warm-up just wondering what your experiences with this and what you have gone when it happened.

I think you know what I am getting at. I am looking for suggestions to the warm-up when you have a match and you can't get much from the warm-up because your opponent decides to go winner ball on you when you are just trying to get a warm-up in before you match.

Playing here in the North (Albany, NY). Can't get a warm up outside before your match so you are stuck with warming up with your oppoent. Quite oblivious you aren't going to get a good warm-up just wondering what your experiences with this and what you have goen because of it.

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Roll the balls to the opponent, making him or her start each point. You hit your normal shot, they hit a winner... roll them to them again.

Maybe they'll get the message soon enough, or maybe you'll do a lot of rolling to get a warmup!

The most important thing for me is to not let it affect my mental state going into the match. I'll generally (mentally) write the guy off as a jerk and start to just block balls back to him as if I'm bored. I've always wanted to just walk off the court until the match starts, but I haven't taken that step yet.

The last thing I want to do is get worked up and show my opponent that he bothered me.

This happened to me a few times and your opponent can only apologize so many times. Sometimes this makes me go for winners or sometimes this makes me blast the ball really hard back at him. Depending on which I find to be more successful in disrupting there warm-up. Also depends on the mood. This is after a number of balls have gone to the backhand wing, short in the box, for winners or the side to side motion becomes all too familiar. At some point I have the understanding of the fact that this guy is not willing to give me a warm-up or is out to make a statement. Basically I am a little pissed at this moment but don't want to do anything too rash because I still have a match to play with this guy.

I have also done the block the ball back and watch them miss some of their winners and think to myself. Now.. Now.. Don’t be greedy. At least pretend we are rallying here.

I hate such opponents. Whenever something like that happens to me I always tell them that we're just warming up. Sometimes they get it, sometimes they don't. If my opponent continues to go for a winner, I just catch the ball with my hand and start a new try. But that's all...

I played a lady once who couldn't give me a proper lob to warm up my overhead. "Oh sorry."

Turns out that the lob was the only shot she used once we started playing. Talk about highly annoying -- she absolutely COULD lob, and she absolutely didn't want me to warm up my overhead.

I beat her anyway.

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This one is a classic. I also run into, and I am not sure why they do this, but they can't hit a serve in pactice. So you get no looks at returning. But once you start the match, they can't miss a first serve. It was like they wanted to see what my serve looked like but didn't want to show there's. Kind of pissed me off and after the second or three serve game and I started to really go for winners on their first serve if I got a good look. I guess in a way it back fired because it got me pumped up to return.

This one is a classic. I also run into, and I am not sure why they do this, but they can't hit a serve in pactice. So you get no looks at returning. But once you start the match, they can't miss a first serve. It was like they wanted to see what my serve looked like but didn't want to show there's. Kind of pissed me off and after the second or three serve game and I started to really go for winners on their first serve if I got a good look. I guess in a way it back fired because it got me pumped up to return.

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Since you aren't supposed to practice returns when your opponent is warming up their serve, I see nothing wrong with a player saving their "real" serve for the actual match.

One guy I played, just pounded the ball as hard as he could, when I went to the net for warmups. I just though to myself, what an ass.
You run into every type of person at tournaments.

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ONLY YOU run into the weird ones in a tournament. I sure hope I draw you in the first round this weekend. Get used to winners during the pre game introductions, the warm ups, and from the very first point. BTW, keep the ball away from the line, if it close it is OUT. Each bad call will envoke a giggle.

Also, I noticed the person we were speaking of, you beat him 0-0, you must have been warmed up enough!!!!

Good to hear. A couple of times I've warmed up with flat serves, and then on my very first serve of the match thrown some crazy slice serve at 'em.

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This is indeed an interesting one.

I wonder what the grander ethics are in regards to how one warms up versus how one plays?

I wondered about this in the local tournament I played, where my opponent (who crushed me but still) hadn't seen me play before. I can warm-up mostly flat / slice if I choose (which was his game), but my game is much more Western-FH and Bigger serves.

I wonder what the grander ethics are in regards to how one warms up versus how one plays?

I wondered about this in the local tournament I played, where my opponent (who crushed me but still) hadn't seen me play before. I can warm-up mostly flat / slice if I choose (which was his game), but my game is much more Western-FH and Bigger serves.

I wonder where the etiquette line sits?

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I don't know. Now that I think about, I've save my wicked drop shot and short backhand slice for the matches sometimes too. But keep in mind I'm very new to playing matches against strangers, and have literally only done so like half a dozen times so far, so I'm a babe in the woods in this area and haven't had much time to develop a set of habits or beliefs in this area.

When this happens to me (after I feed to them normally) I just feed the ball to a corner and watch them run for it. Then they get mad and say "hey, feed it TO me" to which I reply "hey, hit it TO me. This is a warmup - not a match".

When this happens to me (after I feed to them normally) I just feed the ball to a corner and watch them run for it. Then they get mad and say "hey, feed it TO me" to which I reply "hey, hit it TO me. This is a warmup - not a match".

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Yep, I reckon that's the best way to deal with them.

One other variation (assuming they won't ease up and start a rally) is to feed the ball into different spots - a few short into the service box, a few wide, a few towards the body- and see how they react. A lot of guys who go for winners on every shot have a part of the court where they'll just spray the ball (I find guys with western forehands don't like the ball fading half-way inside the service box). You won't really get a good warm-up for your shots but you'll get a very good look at what the other guy can and can't do. You can also just feed them forehands then, when the match starts, don't give them a look at another forehand.

Although, I do have to laugh at the notion that someone might deliberately miss their serves during the warm-up. Sounds more like the guy is just warming his arm up (Good way to do that is aim a serve at the back fence - forces you to hit up), finding his range and his ball toss.

I'm fairly new to tennis and I have never heard of this rule before. I don't mean to question you Kyle but is this rule legit?

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Yeah, it's legit. You are not to return the opponent's warm-up serves. You catch the balls and then serve them back. If you finish your serve warm-up and opponent still wants to hit more serves, you're supposed to return the balls directly to her. It's all in the Code.

A lot of people don't know this rule at the lower levels, so they hit returns. Which is fine by me because then I get all the time to warm up my serve and they get none. And since they're not seeing my real serve (such as it is), returning it gives them little advantage.

Yeah, it's legit. You are not to return the opponent's warm-up serves. You catch the balls and then serve them back. If you finish your serve warm-up and opponent still wants to hit more serves, you're supposed to return the balls directly to her. It's all in the Code.

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Hmmm, I understand where the code is coming from in this case (I'd think a combo of etiquette and safety). That said, I feel as long as the returns are away from the player (which should be not much more difficult than serving away from the player), then it's all good. You sometimes even see this happen at the pro level, perhaps moreso after a rain delay where one player has to come out and return to save their very existence - I saw this in January where Schiavone was warming up after a rain delay with only part of one receive game to go.

I'm with Cindy - if someone wants to do this - in a reasonable manner - against me (or v.v.), I have no real problems....

Hmmm, I understand where the code is coming from in this case (I'd think a combo of etiquette and safety). That said, I feel as long as the returns are away from the player (which should be not much more difficult than serving away from the player), then it's all good. You sometimes even see this happen at the pro level, perhaps moreso after a rain delay where one player has to come out and return to save their very existence - I saw this in January where Schiavone was warming up after a rain delay with only part of one receive game to go.

I'm with Cindy - if someone wants to do this - in a reasonable manner - against me (or v.v.), I have no real problems....

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I see. I never really try to return it to the best of my abilities during warm-up. I just try to hit back to them so they can get more serves in. Not neccessarily to place anywhere specifically. I just get a gauge on how fast it's going and what kind of break it has. Is that "kosher"?

My understanding is that you are not supposed to use your opponent's warm-up serves as an opportunity to practice your returns. I don't have a problem with people returning my serves but it can be annoying when someone rips a hard return straight at me. In any event, my main point was that I don't owe the returner a good serve during warmup.

Edit: The relevant portion of the Code states: "Courtesy dictates that you not practice your service return when your opponent practices serving. If a player has completed the player’s warmup serves, the player shall return warm-up serves directly to the opponent."

i believe the key is the differentiation between warm up and practice. before a match you warm up and it is common courtesy to help the other person warm up by hitting complementary shots to them. practice is not done on the court in the 5 minute (or so) warm up time allotted. hence the term "warm up time". so therefore you should be able to hit however you want (i.e. less than 100% on serves) as long as it does not prevent your opponent from warming up, you dont owe them practice at this time.

i have another question for this esteemed ensemble of tennis experts however: what do you do during warm up when your opponent insists on serving to the ad court when you are content with "warming up" in the deuce court. does not the deuce side provide adequate opportunity for "warm up"? or are the rules different for serving........and if so why?

i believe the key is the differentiation between warm up and practice. before a match you warm up and it is common courtesy to help the other person warm up by hitting complementary shots to them. practice is not done on the court in the 5 minute (or so) warm up time allotted. hence the term "warm up time". so therefore you should be able to hit however you want (i.e. less than 100% on serves) as long as it does not prevent your opponent from warming up, you dont owe them practice at this time.

i have another question for this esteemed ensemble of tennis experts however: what do you do during warm up when your opponent insists on serving to the ad court when you are content with "warming up" in the deuce court. does not the deuce side provide adequate opportunity for "warm up"? or are the rules different for serving........and if so why?

sincerely,
dismayed in dallas

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fuzzy, you nailed it on the head.

Warm up is for warming up your body. Not for practicing.

The Code says that you should reciprocate and help your opponent raise their body temperature. If your opponents is more keen on playing blaster ball, then go jog around the court and hit balls into the fence (if you're playing singles). Warm up is key to preventing on court injuries.

For service practice, it is actually better to serve to opposite sides (ie. one player serving to deuce, one player serving to ad, for singles). For pro matches, you always see them practicing serves on opposite sides. Of course, if you're done warming up your service motion, then you can practice returns, as long as you're not attempting to disrupt their service practice by returning the ball too hard.

I personally warm up my shoulder, and start my serves at about 20%. If I go for more, then I usually have an injury if I did not warm up properly.

The 5 minute warm up period before a match is enough for 10 forehands, 10 backhands, 10 volleys, 5 overheads, 5 lobs, and 10 serves.

i believe the key is the differentiation between warm up and practice. before a match you warm up and it is common courtesy to help the other person warm up by hitting complementary shots to them. practice is not done on the court in the 5 minute (or so) warm up time allotted. hence the term "warm up time". so therefore you should be able to hit however you want (i.e. less than 100% on serves) as long as it does not prevent your opponent from warming up, you dont owe them practice at this time.

i have another question for this esteemed ensemble of tennis experts however: what do you do during warm up when your opponent insists on serving to the ad court when you are content with "warming up" in the deuce court. does not the deuce side provide adequate opportunity for "warm up"? or are the rules different for serving........and if so why?

sincerely,
dismayed in dallas

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I think it is foolish to not serve to both courts. That is like saying hitting forehands would be sufficient to warm you up, or only hitting shots crosscourt. I usually start out in the back court, hit light looping groundies, when I feel a bit comfortable, I lay into a couple, (I don't hit winners, but I don't mind making my opponent move a bit.) Then come up and take volleys, take overheads, let my opponent take volleys/overheads. I begin serving into the deuce court, usually take 6 or 9 serves into the deuce court 3 at a time. (I serve 3 balls, my opponent catches them then serves them) then take 3 or 6 serves into the ad court, then we spin. 5 minute warmup.

That pro warmup serving opposite each other, only works when you have 6 balls in play and have ballboys running them down and feeding them back to you, you can't serve in opposite directions when there are only 3 balls, and you and your opponent have to pick them up afterwards. Especially indoors, them balls just dissapear if you take your eyes off of them.

i have another question for this esteemed ensemble of tennis experts however: what do you do during warm up when your opponent insists on serving to the ad court when you are content with "warming up" in the deuce court?

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I believe the code says that if your opponent insists on some warm up serves to the ad court, it is perfectly acceptable for you to throw a major hissy fit and stalk off the court and refuse to play the match.

chris - I hope I am wrong about a troublesome "tone" I read in your OP. (Quoting out-of-order.…)

chrisfromalbany said:

Playing here in the North (Albany, NY) … you are stuck with warming up with your oppoent.

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Why is this being “stuck”? It’s how we’ve done it for decades; prior to the match you and your opponent warm-up together. No big deal….

Quite oblivious you aren't going to get a good warm-up …

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If you posted this because you think 5 minutes isn’t long enough … well, it’s “warm-up” not “practice” (as already noted).

But if you posted that because you somehow expect to be poorly warmed-up by your opponent … the occurrence of this – even in Albany – is so rare in my experience as to make it seriously rare. (Yes. I used to play all over the Tri-Cities area.)

(Asking this as gently as I can) do you wonder if your “game face” – or nerves, or a “bad day” – may have “communicated” to your opponent? Maybe you seemed so … intense … you came across as off-putting (or something) and you contributed to the problem…?

I am looking for suggestions to the warm-up when you have a match and you can't get much from the warm-up because your opponent decides to go winner ball on you when you are just trying to get a warm-up in before you match.

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Most players who are experienced at playing matches know to arrive warmed-up already. If this (rare) event does actually happen, I like a few of the recommended solutions. (In no particular order….)

• Calmly walk to the net and say, “If you’re just going to practice winners, let’s skip the rest of Warm-up and play.”

• Politely ask him to actually “warm-up”.

• Just warm-up your Serve … no matter what he’s doing. (In fact, I might even walk to the side screen at about the Service Line, turn my back on him and serve into the back screen.) If he asks you what you’re doing, say something like, “You seem to want to warm-up your winners. Since I don’t need to warm-up saying ‘Nice shot’ I figured I’d let you keep acting like a jerk and I’d just warm-up my own way….”

• Call one of your teammates to warm you up. (But they’d better hurry.) You still get only those five minutes.

It should be noted, if you take the “counter-antagonism” approach, you may as well alert your Captian you’ll probably be needing a Referee once the match begins. (It does pretty much “set the tone” if you choose to “fight fire with fire….”)

P. S. I rarely warm-up my serves into both courts. If my location is good into one court, it will be good in the other.

Warm-ups are intended to get the blood flowing and warm up the body. Not to hit winners. Players should hit medium paced balls to each other and use their short warm up time wisely. But, (excuse me for being blunt here) there are a lot of stupid people out there who don't understand the concept of a warm up and there are others who hit balls all over the place to irritate you. If your body is not warmed up, it's pretty stupid to start slamming the balls around, but people do it all the time. It's impossible to get a complete warm up in the alloted time, so players should do the best they can and work together. But, if your opponent is hitting balls all over the place and not warming you up, ask your doubles partner to warm up with you. No questions asked, just do it. Some people around here are so notorious for bad warm-ups that they have been given nicknames, such as John "Keep-away" Doe.

I think it is foolish to not serve to both courts. That is like saying hitting forehands would be sufficient to warm you up, or only hitting shots crosscourt. I usually start out in the back court, hit light looping groundies, when I feel a bit comfortable, I lay into a couple, (I don't hit winners, but I don't mind making my opponent move a bit.) Then come up and take volleys, take overheads, let my opponent take volleys/overheads. I begin serving into the deuce court, usually take 6 or 9 serves into the deuce court 3 at a time. (I serve 3 balls, my opponent catches them then serves them) then take 3 or 6 serves into the ad court, then we spin. 5 minute warmup.

That pro warmup serving opposite each other, only works when you have 6 balls in play and have ballboys running them down and feeding them back to you, you can't serve in opposite directions when there are only 3 balls, and you and your opponent have to pick them up afterwards. Especially indoors, them balls just dissapear if you take your eyes off of them.

J

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I couldn't agree with you more. A lot of people forget that there are leagues/tournaments out there that you do not have a teammate or line judges. I also agree with you when there is only yourself and your opponent practicing serves. It doesn't matter if we have all the balls in the world, I'm not going to practice my serves while my opponent is doing so. Obviously, if there is a rule mandating this, I will oblige but if not, I'm going to get a look at this guy's motion. Even if it is served at 5% of what he is actually capable of. I'm seeing where his toss is, what he does as soon as he hits it, etc. I hit them softly back to him and whenever he wants to move to the Ad court, I move with him and do the same thing until it is my turn. It's completely fine to do this and in no way wrong to serve in the Ad court.

And to the poster who said you don't need to serve to both courts when warming up because if it is in on one side, it's going to be good on the other side as well, pardon my rudeness, but this kind of thinking is a joke. Do you serve with opposite hands depending on which court you are serving to? If this didn't matter, then why do pros even bothering serving to both sides? If my opponent did this, I would lick my chops because obviously he is either scared to show me how bad his serve is on that side or he doesn't know you switch sides after each serve. I'm not an idiot. I know the box is the same size and shape on both sides but you have to know where you want to place your slice or kick or flat. It's a somewhat different motion to both sides and you know it.

guys hitting hard shots and going for winners during warm-up is not so uncommon. i call it cowboy-tennis (nothing bad with cowboys, there the one who shoots first usually is the winner), but in tennis you generally get second shots if your opponent is not light-years ahead. i don't really mind, because before you start those 5 minutes warm-up, you should have warmed up your body anyway if you're not looking for an injury. usually i simply tell myself, "let's see if this guy is going to put his money where his mouth is", in such case i'm surely going to have a difficult time. according to my experience though, 85% of my cowboy-tennis opponents will play "slow motion" when we start counting points.
so, as a strategy, since your service is one of the most important strokes, declare yourself warmed-up and start doing serves. don't give your opponents behaviour any second thoughts, just concentrate on your own game. if he's able to come up with winners most of the time also during the match, than there's no other way but just to congratulate him on the jolly good show - he put his money where his mouth was.